The Sapphires scores 12 nominations at AACTA Awards

Hit musical drama The Sapphires has scored 12 nominations at the 2012 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards including in the coveted best feature film category.

The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.

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Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main AACTA ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.

Not Suitable for Children received four AACTA Award nominations, while 33 Postcards and Killer Elite were each nominated for two AACTA Awards. Other feature film nominations included: A Few Best Men (Best Original Music Score); Iron Sky (Best Visual Effects); Swerve (Best Sound); The King is Dead! (Best Supporting Actor – Gary Waddell); and X (Best Editing).

In the television category, Puberty Blues, Redfern Now, Rake – Season 2, and Tangle – Season 3 will be vying to take home the Best Television Drama Series Award. Puberty Blues received six AACTA nominations in total while Redfern Now and Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War each received five. Underground, Devil's Dust and Beaconsfield received two nominations.

The new AACTA Best Reality Television Series Award nominations were: My Kitchen Rules – Series 3, MasterChef Australia – Series 4, The Voice and The Amazing Race Australia.

Three of the four nominees for Best Television Comedy Series were ABC series: A Moody Christmas, Lowdown – Season 2 and Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell. SBS series Danger 5 was also nominated.

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